Power horn



D. FERRELL Sept. 19, 1961 POWER HORN Filed Feb. 25, 1957 INVENTOR. W FERRELL FIG. 1

ATTORNEY United States Patent '0 Filed Feb. 25, 1957, Ser. No. 642,006 3 Claims. (Cl. 116-112) This invention relates to a sound producing unit, and in particular to a device having a tensioned diaphragm supported for vibration and adapted to be actuated by fluid under pressure.

Heretofore various types of sound producing devices have been presented, in which fluid under pressure has been used to actuate the device. However, the requirement of an external source of fluid under pressure has resulted in the use of many units to make up the whole of the device. As will be noted, a device, a separate source of fluid under pressure, and a control valve of suitable type for admitting fluid to the device, and necessary means of connecting fluid supply, control valve, and a sound producing unit to form a working unit will comprise a considerable amount of apparatus.

It is the prime object of the invention herein described to provide an improved self-contained sound producing unit which is highly eflicient in operation and can be adapted easily to a wide variety of applications.

A further object of this invention is to employ a simplified, novel construction which is reliable, rugged and economical to manufacture, as will be described in detail.

Another important object of this invention is the manner in which the diaphragm is disposed within the device, wherein the diaphragm serves a secondary purpose as well as a primary purpose, both being pertinent to the construction and operation of the device.

A still further advantage is the usage of a disposable or throw-away type container of fluid under pressure as a source of power, and the manner in which said container may be attached and detached with speed, ease, and efliciency without otherwise disturbing the arrangement of the self-contained sound producing unit.

Another object of the self-contained sound producing unit is the unique and novel construction and disposition of a control valve to be integral with a main portion of the unit, and be of a design permitting its use in direct conjunction with the type of power source to be de scribed in detail.

The novel'features .whichl believe to be characteristic ofmy invention are settorth with particularity in the appended, claims... My invention, itself, however, both as to its organization, manner of construction, and method of operation, .togetherHwit-h further objects and advantages thereof, may best be. understood by reference to the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal cross section of the selfcontained sound producing unit, including the control valve and the disposable container of fluid under pressure, the control valve being shown in closed position.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross section of the valve and disposable container, showing the valve in open position.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, a self-contained sound producing unit is disclosed comprising a disposable container 40 of fluid under pressure, herein designated at 41, a control valve 50, a connecting member 30, and a casing which houses the sound producing elements.

A tensioned diaphragm 13 is seated in stressed relationship with the pressure outlet tube 18 at a point 20, herein called a seat. This seat 20 is the termination of the walls 19 of the pressure outlet tube 18. The diaphragm 13 is tensioned by the method of attachment at "ice point 21. A forward member 12, of casing 10, and a rearward member 11, of casing 10, having annular openings, are threaded at certain portions, and, when screwed together, form a rigid joint 21. Adjacent to the annular opening of the rearward member 11, is a lip 26. Adjacent to the annular opening of the forward member 12 is a shoulder having a groove. This shoulder is designated at 25. Reference figure 27 is herein termed a seat, so formed by the groove at seat 27 on shoulder 25. The diaphragm 13 is crimped about a certain portion of its periphery, this crimped portion illustrated at 28. In assembly of casing 10, the crimped portion 28 of diaphragm 13 is placed over and covering the lip 26 of the rearward member 11 of casing 10. The thread@ ed portion of the annular opening of the forward member 12 of casing 10 engages the threaded portion'of the rearward member 11. The above members of casing 10 being screwed tightly together forming joint 21, the crimped portion 28 of diaphragm 13 is clamped between the lip 26 of rearward member 11, and the seat 27 of the forward member 12. The diaphragm 13, being of substantially flexible material thus assumes the form or shape of the seat 27. In this manner the rearward pressure chamber 14 is sealed airtight, and the forward pressure chamber 15 is sealed airtight.

It will be readily noted by those skilled in the art, that the diaphragm 13 is tensioned across the seat 20 of the pressure outlet tube 18 effectively and economically by the method of assembly and construction hereinbefore described. Seat 20 lies in a plane substantially parallel to, and diflerent from the plane of shoulder 25, thus tensioning the diaphragm.

The connecting member 30 of the sound producing unit contains an inlet tube 31 communicating with the forward pressure chamber 15 through an inlet passage 23, and the connecting member 30 being attached to the forward member 12 by a rigid press fit at joint 24.

A control valve, the whole structure of which is herein designated by the reference figure 50, is incorporated as an integral part of the connecting member 30. The control valve 50 includes a rod with a cam surface thereon, the rod and cam being designated at 35, and slidably mounted within a suitable fitting 33, and spring loaded by a spring 32. A slotted rod 36, with an enlarged, pointed end is slidably mounted within a suitable retainer 37. The retainer 37 is threaded about its periphery and attached to the connecting member 30 at point 38. The other end of the slotted rod 36 engages a bicycle valve stem 43, the operation of which later who described in detail. A handle 34 is fastened to the rod and cam 35 by a pin 29, and adjacent to the fitting33.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, when the handle 34 is ;lifted,in the fashion indicated by reference figure 44, the

rod and cam 35 is pulled outwardly in fitting 33, the cam 35 engaging the enlarged pointed end of the slotted rod 36, the slotted rod 36 then operating in cooperation with rod and cam 35. The slotted rod 36 thus moves in a downwardly manner in the retainer 37, the slotted rod 35 engaging the bicycle valve stem 43, and permits the flow of fluid under pressure through the slotted rod 36 and upwardly into the inlet tube 31 through the inlet passage 23 and into the forward pressure chamber 15, actuating the tensioned diaphragm 13. The increased pressure in the forward pressure chamber 15 momentarily lifts the tensioned diaphragm 13 from its seat 20, allowing the pressure to escape through the pressure outlet tube 18, and through the trumpet device 16, herein attached to the forward member 12 at point 17. The tensioned diaphragm 13 being lifted from its seat 20, the increased pressure in the rearward pressure chamber 14, in part, and the tension of the diaphragm 13, in

part, and the release of pressure in the forward pressure chamber 15, in part, return the diaphragm 13 to its seat 20, the above cycle being repeated in a rapid fashion, as is well known by those well skilled in the art.

When the handle 34 is released in the fashion indicated by the reference figure 44 in FIGURE 2, so that control valve 50 is returned to the position illustrated in FIGURE 1, spring 32 acts upon rod and cam 35, moving and cam 35 in an inwardly manner in fitting 33, allowing slotted rod 36 to move inan upwardly manner in retainer 37, disengaging bicycle valve stem 43, thus retaining the fluid under pressure 41 in the disposable container '40, thus withholding any pressure from inlet tube 31 and forward pressure chamber 15. The tensioned diaphragm 13 is no longer actuated. V

The disposable container 40, containing fluid under pressure 41, is characterized by having an exterior member 45, which is threaded about its periphery and attaches to the connecting member 30 thereby. Connecting member 30 has, in its lower extremity, 'a circular opening, threaded, so as to engage exterior member 45 at point 42 rigidly and in an airtight manner. A bicycle valve stem 43, of conventional type, is secured airtight within an opening in exterior member 45.and is in communication with the source of fluid under pressure 41 As hereinbefore described, bicycle valve stem 43 is engaged and actuated by slotted rod 36, of valve 50, in

a manner as to permit fluid under pressure 41 to escape into the sound producing unit.

Due to the arrangement of the valve 50, the flow of fluid under pressure from disposable container ultimately into the sound producing unit allows the unit hereinbefore described, to start substantially immediately.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will of course be understood, that I do not wish to be limited thereto, since modifications may be .made, and I therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as. fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. .A' self-contained sound producing unit comprising; a sound producing unit having a tensioned diaphragm,

a disposable container of fluid under pressure,a control valve connecting said sound producing unit and said disposable container, said valve forming means for controlling the operation of the said sound producing unit, said sound producing unit comprising acasing having a forward member and a rearward member, said tensioned diaphragm dividing said casing into a forward pressure chamber in said forward member and a rearward pressure chamber in said rearward member, said diaphragm being crimpe'd about its periphery, a rigid joint being formed between said forward member'and said rearward member, a shoulder and groove onsaid forward member crimped peripheral portion by said shoulder and groove and said lip at said joint.

2. A self-contained sound producing unit comprising; a sound producing unit having a tensioned diaphragm, a disposable container of fluidv under pressure, a control valve connecting said sound. producing unit and said disposable container, said valve. forming means for controlling the operation of the said sound producing unit, said control valve including a rod and a cam surface formed thereon, said rod being slidably mounted in said control valve, a handle pivotally attached to said rod, a slotted rod having an enlarged end thereon mounted in said control valve at an angle to said rod and cam,

said rod and cam engaging thev enlarged end of said 7 slotted. rod, the other end of said slotted rod being adapted to engage a fluid retaining means in said disposable container; whereby in response to movementof said handle, said rod, and cam will operatively engage said slotted rod and move said slotted rod agains said fluid retaining means for permitting fluid under pressure to flow from said disposable container, through said control valve to actuate said sound producing unit.

3. A self-contained sound producing unit comprising, a sound producing unit having a tensioned diaphragm, a disposable container of fluid under pressure, a. control valve connecting said sound producing unit. and said container, a connecting member attached at one,v end to said sound producing unit and attached at the other end to said container; said tensioned diaphragm being crimped about its periphery, said sound producing unit comprising a casing having aforward member and a, rearward member and having a rigid joint with a shoulder and groove and a lip, said diaphragm being retained along its. erimped portion by said shoulder and groove and said lip, said control valve including a rod and, cam thereonbeing slidably mounted in said control valve, a handle pivotally attached to said rod, a slotted rod having an enlarged end mounted at an angle to said rod and. cam, said rod and cam engaging the end of said slotted rod, the other end of said slotted rod being adapted to engage the fluid retaining means in said disposable container; whereby said rod and cam will engage said slotted rod. and move said slotted rod against said fluid retaining means in response to movement of said handle for Permitting fluid under pressure to flow from said disposable container to actuate said sound producing unit.

References Cited in the file' of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,281,877 Teste Oct. 15, 1918 1,692,942 Kubli Nov. 27, 1928 1,760,295 Aufiero May 27, 1930 1,898,546 Kelley Feb. 21, 1933 2,671,426 Woody Mar. 9, 1954 2,777,416 Messick Ian. 15, 1957 2,793,651 Gomez May 28, 1957 

